The consensus conference as a mechanism for community responsive technology policy

Davison, A. and Schibeci, R. (2000) The consensus conference as a mechanism for community responsive technology policy. Melbourne Studies in Education , 41 (2). pp. 47-59.

Abstract

How can a government's gene technology policies be made more responsive to community visions and concerns? How may communication between experts and ordinary citizens be facilitated on highly involved technical issues? Consensus conferences (CCs) in the form of scenario workshops, citizens juries, electronic consensus building systems and deliberative opinion polls are suggested as being useful in drawing technology policy closer to community concerns. Genetically modified (GM) foods are discussed.